DP Ruto terms Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto’s Nasa move as selfish

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto’s move to join Nasa took centre stage at an interdenominational prayer meeting in Narok County on Sunday.

Deputy President William Ruto used the occasion to dismiss his ally-turned-rival as inconsequential in determining the political direction of Rift Valley ahead of the August 8 General Election.

He called on the Kalenjin community to pray for the CCM leader, whom he termed as visionless and selfish.

The Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) leader is one of the five principals in the opposition coalition, the National Super Alliance.

Speaking mainly in Kalenjin, he said at Nkaroni in Narok South Sub-County: “Indochin ngo chito nemokchin bororiet ab Kalenjin tuguk cheyach. Moche kesochi chichi kabisa “(How will a person who does not wish the Kalenjin nation well lead? This man needs prayers).”

ENEMY OF DEVELOPMENT

Questioning the governor’s value to Nasa, Mr Ruto labelled him an enemy of development, saying he opposed most projects that the national government wanted rolled out in Bomet.

“We wanted to build a university in Bomet but he said he would rather a dumpsite,” said DP Ruto. “He is the only governor who did not sign for the medical equipment meant for hospitals.”

Mr Ruto said the governor has been visiting Mau and telling residents that the government has been insensitive to them, despite the State’s efforts to lift the caveat imposed on the title deeds.

“He (Ruto) has joined those who were responsible for the Mau Forest eviction,” he said, in apparent reference to Mr Odinga, whom he told that his association with the Bomet governor will not get him the Kalenjin vote.

NO MORE EVICTIONSMr Ruto said the government has allocated Sh100 million to the rebuilding of 15 primary schools burnt during the Mau eviction and called on residents not to worry as no one will evict them again.

“While we in the Jubilee team are concentrating on bringing electricity, building roads, building the railway, creating employment for our people in the country … our competitors are regrouping to share power,” said Mr Ruto.

He enumerated government projects in Narok and the South Rift, saying Jubilee had connected 45,000 households to the national electricity grid, up from 800 when they took over government.

ALMOST COMPLETE

“The tarmacking of Ololunga-Ormekenyu road is almost complete and we have commenced the Narok-Sikinani road,” said the DP. “Mulot-Sekemian road has already been advertised and works should commence in a month.

“In Bomet, we have done over 200 kilometres of tarmac despite the governor trying to block it.”

Also present were the National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Dr Joyce Laboso, and senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo-Marakwet) and Beatrice Elachi (nominated).